Army Rangers pull their weight at Crestview soup kitchen

Published: Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 11:06 AM.

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CRESTVIEW — Army Rangers live to serve their country. At the local level, that may extend to monthly soup kitchen duties.
“They are just so organized and willing to help with whatever,” said Sheila Brown with Crestview First United Methodist Church. “I would love for them to be here every (Saturday).”
Thirty-eight volunteers from the 6th Ranger Training Battalion at Camp James E. Rudder served 72 needy residents recently at the church’s weekly soup kitchen.
Sgt. 1st Class Nate Smith, a regular volunteer, said the soldiers offered to step in after a group scheduled to be there had to bow out at the last minute.
“They asked if we could fill in, so I figured this would be a good opportunity to get some of these soldiers out here in the community,” Smith said.
Several soldiers brought pulled pork, Spanish rice, French fries and desserts. In addition to cooking and serving the food, the battalion organized a cornhole game and Spc. Dennis White played the piano. The group also cleaned the kitchen afterward.
Smith said he would be interested in having the Rangers volunteer at the soup kitchen at least one Saturday a month.
“A lot of these guys are looking for the opportunity to volunteer … This is a good way to give back to the community,” he said.

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CRESTVIEW — Army Rangers live to serve their country. At the local level, that may extend to monthly soup kitchen duties.
“They are just so organized and willing to help with whatever,” said Sheila Brown with Crestview First United Methodist Church. “I would love for them to be here every (Saturday).”
Thirty-eight volunteers from the 6th Ranger Training Battalion at Camp James E. Rudder served 72 needy residents recently at the church’s weekly soup kitchen.
Sgt. 1st Class Nate Smith, a regular volunteer, said the soldiers offered to step in after a group scheduled to be there had to bow out at the last minute.
“They asked if we could fill in, so I figured this would be a good opportunity to get some of these soldiers out here in the community,” Smith said.
Several soldiers brought pulled pork, Spanish rice, French fries and desserts. In addition to cooking and serving the food, the battalion organized a cornhole game and Spc. Dennis White played the piano. The group also cleaned the kitchen afterward.
Smith said he would be interested in having the Rangers volunteer at the soup kitchen at least one Saturday a month.
“A lot of these guys are looking for the opportunity to volunteer … This is a good way to give back to the community,” he said.